The fast-food chain plans to test grilled chicken sandwiches, wraps, egg bites and bowls as demand grows for protein-rich meals and flexible portions.
CHICAGO, USA – McDonald’s is planning to expand its U.S. menu with more protein-focused options, including grilled chicken sandwiches, wraps, egg bites and bowls, as consumers increasingly seek meals with higher protein content and different portion sizes. The company said its research indicates that nearly 60 million Americans are actively looking for more protein in their diets.
McDonald’s U.S. President Skye Anderson said the company is exploring additional protein-led products across breakfast, lunch and dinner. The planned menu development is intended to provide customers with greater flexibility in choosing protein sources, portion sizes and meal formats.
Among the products being considered are grilled chicken sandwiches and wraps, along with chicken bowls and egg bites. These options would expand McDonald’s existing chicken and breakfast platforms while responding to changing consumer preferences around protein-rich meals.
The company is also evaluating how its existing menu can serve customers seeking protein and smaller portions. McDonald’s said households with GLP-1 users are showing interest in products that combine protein and portion flexibility, although the broader group seeking more protein extends beyond people using such medications.
Hand-breaded chicken is another area of expansion. McDonald’s said the product has performed well in around 10,000 restaurants across Asia, as well as select restaurants near Chicago. The company plans to expand testing into additional U.S. markets and Ireland in 2027.
The menu changes form part of a wider modernization programme. McDonald’s has announced plans to invest approximately $8.5 billion over the next decade to modernize its roughly 46,000 restaurants worldwide, including kitchen improvements, delivery lockers, larger play areas and technology aimed at improving order accuracy and restaurant operations.
The company is also increasing its use of technology in restaurant operations. Its ArchIQ system, developed with Google, is designed to support inventory management and scheduling, while the AI-powered drive-thru ordering system Archy has expanded its language capabilities.
For the food-service industry, McDonald’s menu strategy reflects growing interest in protein-forward products across different meal occasions. The planned combination of chicken products, breakfast items and smaller-format meals shows how major restaurant chains are adapting menus around changing consumer preferences.
The new products are currently part of McDonald’s testing and development plans, meaning availability and final product formats may vary by market as the company evaluates customer response and operational requirements.